Jet's Furkid Palace: Greyhound Swimming Lessons at Fishmarket Reserve

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Greyhound Swimming Lessons at Fishmarket Reserve

We started our Saturday with a visit to our favourite local cafe and dog bakery, the Pet Lover's Cafe.

While we were there we picked up a 'float coat' for Barbie to help her feel more comfortable swimming. Since Barbie has no body fat she finds swimming hard work because she doesn't have any inbuilt buoyancy. Seeing that I want to take her out on boats a life vest, and some confidence in her swimming are prerequisites.

After I had my coffee, and Bender spent quite a bit of time playing tug-of-war with the shop staff, we made the very short trip to Fishmarket Reserve on the Swan River to test out this float coat.

As she is not keen on swimming, I had to carry her out into the deeper water. She is very trusting and lets me pick her up without any protest.

I took her out three times, not wanting to overdo it, and by the third time she seemed quite a bit more confident and relaxed. Her heart rate had slowed down a bit and she wasn't showing any other signs that she was anxious or uncomfortable.

She seemed pretty happy to wear the jacket out of the water too, though she wasn't going to be running around in it. I think with more practice I will be more than happy having her on a boat because I will know she can swim to shore if she ever needs to.

Of course, Bender was with us, playing with his toy, as always.

It was an exhausting morning for them, but I think they both had fun. I think I got a little sunburned though. Damn the harsh Aussie sun!

Comments (11)

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Dip Bridge & Elliot · 632 weeks ago

What a cool place. Wish we had a cafe to take our dogs. I always thought all dogs could swim automatically when they got into the water.
That sunshine looks so nice, sigh.
Lynne x

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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jetsagenda 82p · 632 weeks ago

Barbie can swim, but not very far, and it stresses her out. She has frantically doggy paddle to stay afloat. With the float-coat though she was much less stressed about it and could doggy paddle at a much more reasonable pace.

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genjiscorner · 632 weeks ago

None of my kids will get even close to a water puddle. I have seen greys who crave kiddie pools and lie down in streams. Just not my kids.

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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jetsagenda 82p · 632 weeks ago

Barbie is the water loving type, so I think being able to swim will be a great thing for her:)

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houndstooth4 82p · 631 weeks ago

I think I may try what you did with Bunny and her life jacket. I've taken her out in it, and she'll walk through water, but she won't walk into a large body of water on her own. I think once she knew the life jacket would hold her up, though, she'd be more willing to try it.

Sorry about the sunburn!

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test · 631 weeks ago

Hi all, I've been alerted that some people are having trouble commenting on my blog. I think there have been some hiccups with intensedebate. I am still trying to figure it out.

Jet

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Declan Greyhound 76p · 631 weeks ago

I wonder if I can use the "lack of buoyancy" one next time she tries to make me get in any water? (I even hate puddles....) Deccy x

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Georgia Little Pea · 631 weeks ago

Georgia is getting there slowly too! Don't think she'll ever be a water dog though she does enjoy cooling off in the shallows on hot days FINALLY! Does Barbie panic in the kayak? I'd love to see Georgia's reaction to rocking and being surrounded by water LOL.

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review site · 405 weeks ago

So in jets furkid palace we are today visiting the local café and the dog bakery, the pet’s lover. Here is a swimming pool as well for the foul egger dogs and they all can swim and they also enjoy.

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theleathercity · 380 weeks ago

She is a Greyhound - she is a HOUND meaning that you basically don't exist and treats cease to be exciting once in the presence of game animals and she is a GREYhound meaning that she can easily be two miles away sprinting after something before she thinks to wonder where you are Celebrity Leather Jacket.